Today, blocks 1,2, and 3 finished reading the article, "The Vietnam Wars," by Tod Olson.  It gives a brief history of Vietnam's resistance against several colonial powers, up to its reunification in 1975.

Block 3 has a packet to finish on "plot" and "setting" that is due on Wednesday.

Extra Credit Opportunity!! Due Friday, 9/27

Above, is an example of Vietnamese currency.  In a well developed paragraph, explain the following:

Who is the man on the bill, and what is his significance to Vietnamese history?

Today, blocks 1,2, and 3 read pages 4-9 from Inside Out and Back Again.  Students were introduced to the "Quick Write" format and were asked to answer the following prompt:

What kind of person is Ha?  Use specific evidence from the text to write a paragraph in which you discuss one of Ha's personality traits.

Keep the following in mind:

• Have I answered the prompt completely?
• Is the evidence I provided relevant and complete?
• Does my paragraph include the following?
– A focus statement
– At least three pieces of specific evidence from the text
– For each piece of evidence, an analysis or explanation: what does this evidence mean?

– A concluding sentence

Today and tomorrow, I am introducing our first book of the year, Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai.  Here's a link to her author page.  http://www.harpercollins.com/authors/36544/Thanhha_Lai/index.aspx
Enjoy!

New Vocabulary:
**inference- a determination based on evidence
panic- uncontrollable fear
desperate- extreme need
quantities- amounts
clashes- fights
haste- with quickness
poignant- intense
affidavit- a sworn statement
consulate- government official in a foreign country

Welcome Back!

Welcome Back!

Welcome to our class website for 2013/2014!  I trust everyone had an exciting but restful summer.  Check this site often for any important information, assignments, definitions, or news specific to things going on at JWB or in my classes.  Good luck and have a great year!

NYS ELA State Exam will be given Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week.  Here is what the students will be doing by day.

2013 GRADE 8 COMMON CORE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS TEST

Day 1

Book 1

• Reading

42 multiple-choice questions (Students darken the circles on Answer Sheet 1.)

Allot 90 minutes

Day 2

Book 2

and

Book 3

• Book 2–Reading

21 multiple-choice questions (Students darken the circles on Answer Sheet 2.)

• Book 3–Reading and Writing

3 short-response questions (Students write answers directly in Book 3.)

1 extended-response question (Students write answer directly in Book 3.)

Allot 90 minutes

Day 3

Book 4

• Reading & Writing

5 short-response questions (Students write answers directly in Book 4.)

1 extended-response question (Students write answer directly in Book 4.)

Allot 90 minutes

The Diary of Anne Frank

Drama by: Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett

Drama- a form of literature meant to be performed by actors before an audience

Setting- July 1942- August 1944, November 1945 in Amsterdam, Holland

Characters: 

Annex Residents:

              -Anne Frank

              -Margot Frank

              -Mr. Frank

              -Mrs. Frank

              --Mr. Van Daan

              --Mrs. Van Daan

              --Peter Van Daan

              ---Mr. Dussell

Workers (helpers) at Mr. Frank’s Business:

              **Miep Gies

              **Mr. Kraler

Act I Vocabulary

conspicuous (adjective)- easy to notice

loathe (verb)- to hate

vile (adjective)- disgusting

indignantly (adverb)- becoming angry by something unfair

wallow (verb)- to take great pleasure in

zeal (noun)- great enthusiasm

oppression (noun)- keeping someone down unfairly

jubilation (noun)- rejoicing in celebration

ostentatiously (adverb)- with great exaggeration

appalled (adjective)- horrified or shocked